Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Important notice

In line with our redeployment policy, we'll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

We're looking for researcher to join an interdisciplinary team committed to advancing evidence-based ecological restoration.

You'll be part of RestREco team, a dynamic, interdisciplinary research group - Restoring Resilient Ecosystems - a major NERC-funded research project supporting ecological restoration to support future-proofed, resilient ecosystems.

RestREco is a collaborative research partnership between the National Trust and Cranfield University, Stirling University, Forest Research, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and this is for a 6 month fixed term appointment (up to May 2026) to support dissemination of the RestREco research findings and supporting work.

What it's like to work here

Our goal is to develop innovative and impactful solutions that are grounded in diverse forms of knowledge and robust evidence, aligned with shared societal visions and goals, and responsive to the capacities and motivations of stakeholders to drive change.

In this role, you'll work closely with colleagues from the RestREco partnership as well NT colleagues and wider stakeholders. You will have a good technical understanding of the RestREco research and implication of 'restoration forwards' to meet the challenge of locked in environmental change. The successful candidate will be able to synthesise existing evidence, critically evaluate both established and emerging solutions (ecological, technical, social, or political) and communicate these insights in ways that are targeted, accessible, and capable of influencing real-world outcomes.

As this is a national role, there is flexibility on your contractual place of work. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We'll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40-60% of your working week. The role will require occasional travel for stakeholder engagement and collaborative activities.

What you'll be doing

Reporting to Ben McCarthy, National Trust but working closely with the principal investigators and wider research team to support Work Package 7 - dissemination and impact, you'll develop policy briefings for a range of stakeholders including internal NT colleagues and academic, statutory and 3rd sector stakeholders across the UK.

Who we're looking for

We seek applications from researchers with a deep understanding of the RestREco research package and with good knowledge of environmental sciences, data science, environmental intelligence, conservation science who are interested in working within and beyond their own fields of research to solve the real-world challenges of biodiversity renewal.

• Research experience in a related field of study
• Specialist knowledge in the discipline of restoration ecology to develop/follow the research and methodologies undertaken by RestREco
• A record of research output in high quality publications; able to balance research, admin and competing deadlines
• Experience engaging stakeholders
• Ability to collaborate actively across the organisations and externally to complete research projects and advance thinking
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups
• Ability to participate in and develop external networks
• An understanding of the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation and a commitment to helping create an inclusive culture.

The package

The National Trust has the motto 'For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places